12 Great Father’s Day Activities (2024)

Ice cream is wonderful. Homemade ice cream is so heavenly it's a sure-fire Father's Day hit. A hint of cinnamon makes this custardy, super-smooth, ice cream special.

(For a lighter treat, serve Dad DIY Tart 'n' Tangy Fro Yo)

Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream

Facebook tip: Hiking in Glacier National Park for the day and ice cream on the way home!! 😉 - Susan Schwager

Consider taking Dad for a Father's Day trip he'll never forget: white water rafting on any one of our favorite rivers.

Or, for the angler in your life, fishing is a good, relaxing alternative.

More: Top 10 rafting trips

Twitter tip: Treat Dad to a day of fly fishing on the world class Snake River. - GreerTerry@SunsetMag

When you're at L.A.'s Dodger Stadium, the best thing to order between innings is the piled-high Fairfax sandwich made by Canter's Deli. This is our version.

Dad will love our whole World Series menu.

Recipe: Hot pastrami sandwiches

Twitter tip: Burgers & baseball parks! - deniseslatteryRT @SunsetMag

San Diego is quite possibly the perfect summer day trip. Dad can enjoy the sunny weather and maybe even catch a Padres game at PETCO Park.

For a day trip: Explore San Diego's retro neighborhood ― Kensington

For a weekend: San Diego summer getaway

Twitter tip: Father's Day trip ideas - Downtown San Diego! - sdgodowntownRT @SunsetMag

For dads who like to pedal (or dads who just like to eat seafood), Pacific Grove is an ideal, low-key day trip.

Or maybe your dad is more interested in perfecting his swing? Treat him to 18 holes at Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links.

More: Explore Pacific Grove by bike

Twitter tip: Carmel; golf @ PacificGrove Poor Man's Pebble Beach - Nancydbrown@SunsetMag

Brunch isn't just for Mother's Day anymore. Surprise Dad with this make-ahead menu, complete with Asparagus and Prosciutto Strata, Buttermilk-Currant Scones with Lemon Glaze, and Strawberry-Marmalade Salad.

Add a glass of sparkling wine and he's sure to ask for the same gift next year.

More: Get our make-ahead brunch menu

Facebook tip: Champagne brunch at home with an oven omelete on the patio, PRICELESS!!!! - Kelly Dolan-Hagadorn

You can find good local food in any number of beautiful places, but in Tomales Bay, on California's North Coast, there's a special kind of seamlessness between the act of eating and just being in nature.

This is the perfect Father's Day trip for your favorite foodie.

More: Feast on oysters at Tomales Bay

Twitter tip: Osteria Stellina, Pt Reyes- great destination for Father's Day ... Best of local ingredients. - BertinoPR@SunsetMag

This is the granddaddy of national parks, full of waterfalls, bison, and geysers. It's a big trip, but it's one most dads are sure to love.

More: Unforgettable Yellowstone vacation

Twitter tip: Take your "Old Faithful" to Old Faithful! Explore Yellowstone National Park - GreerTerry@SunsetMag

Dads who love coffee and browsing through indie shops will definitely appreciate a day trip to Portland's hip North Williams Avenue.

More: Explore Portland's North Williams Avenue

Twitter tip: Portland's Governor Hotel has a Portland Brewery Tour travel package w freebies for the beer loving dad - ashleybern@SunsetMag

Don't buy him another bottle of Cab. This year, impress him with a mini wine country escape.

More: 10 irresistible mini wine country escapes

Facebook tip: Maryhill Art Museum in the Gorge & then wine tasting! It's a treat for dad to not have to be the designated driver! - Columbia Gorge Winegrowers

Take Dad cherry-picking (and tasting), then serve him up one of our favorite cherry treats. Let him pick his favorite: Cherry Limeade, Chocolate Waffles with Poached Cherries, Double-Crust Cherry Tart, or Fresh Cherry Preserves.

More: Cherry ripe

Facebook Tip: My dad loves cherry tasting at Andy's Orchard in Morgan Hill every Father's Day... 20 some varieties... delicious! - Sunset

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